The type of warping addressed here can cause bridging and shorts at the outer corners of the device during replacement. This problem can require more rework at the BGA site, surely no fun at all. It's generally understood that some minor distortion occurs in BGA components and circuit boards when heated, due to the varying thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of all the different materials. In the BGA component, this effect is greatest (or at least appears greatest) at the outermost edges. The larger the BGA package ...Feature Story

We are seeing insufficient barrel fill for one through-hole components during wave soldering. We suspect the problem could due to the pin-hole ratio being too small. Can you point us to a guideline for ...Ask The Experts

Circuit Technology Center is participating in IPC APEX EXPO 2019 at the San Diego Convention Center in California from January 29 through 31. Stop by our booth #3245 to review your rework and repair requirements.

Talk with us about our show special covering BGA rework and reballing services with significant savings off of any BGA rework or BGA reballing project. Come by Booth number 3245 and pick up your coupon for this unique offer.

In every industry there is a gap between conception and execution. It doesn't take long in this business to learn that ideas are very important, but they're usually the easiest part of the process. Putting a worthwhile idea into action can be exciting, challenging and humbling. To their dismay, one of our customers found a small but critical error. The ground plane that should have served as a return path for signals was missing between plated through holes in a section of their circuit board. ...Feature Story

Washington State University researchers have developed a low-cost, portable laboratory on a smartphone that works nearly as well as clinical laboratories to detect common viral and bacterial infections. The work could lead to faster and lower-cost lab results for fast-moving viral and bacterial epidemics ...Technology Briefing

Since 1983 Circuit Technology Center and CircuitMedic have been recognized as the world's most innovative and reliable specialists in circuit board rework and repair services and products.

Trivia Answer
Argon. The very thin metal filament inside the bulb would react with oxygen and burn away if the bulb were filled with air instead of argon. Argon stops the filament burning away because it is nonreactive.